Dumped Grand Prix driver Nick Heidfeld has finally abandoned any further hopes of remaining in Formula 1 by signing with Rebellion Racing to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Swiss team announced his signing today, confirming that the 186-GP veteran would contest the Sebring 12 Hours, the Spa 6 Hours and the Le Mans 24 Hours in one of the team’s Toyota-powered Lola LMP1 challengers, partnering Neel Jani and Nicolas Prost.

Heidfeld’s last F1 outing came at last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix with Lotus Renault GP, after which the team dumped him from their line-up in place of Bruno Senna for the rest of the season.

The deal marks the first time since 1999 that Heidfeld will have competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

“I am really looking forward to this new challenge and I am especially excited that the first race in Sebring, being a new circuit for me, is only a few weeks away,” he is quoted as saying in a team media release.

“I am very happy to join Rebellion Racing and hope I can help building up on their already impressive achievements which include winning the Team and Manufacturer championship in the Le Mans Series and finishing just behind the Peugeot and Audi works teams in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup [the former name of the FIA WEC].”